MUSIC
MEMORY for ALZHEIMER’S
pressed : De n io ot m
E Wil liam ’s
Wil liam ’s
E
ppy : Ha n io ot m
William is Happy
William, 93 years old Alzheimer’s patient living in a residential care facility who has to have constant care. Does not communicate well and seems disconnected with others.
William is overwhelmed with happiness. His caretaker has never seen him show this much emotion, and he has not felt this way since he has been in the care facility. William wants to keep the iPod so he can listen to it all the time - so he can remember.
Product Demographics
William tells his Story
For people who have Alzheimer’s, or other memory loss issues. The majority of those with Alzheimer’s are ages 75-84+, but symptoms can develop around age 65 or younger.
William begins to tell us some of his life story, and the feelings he experienced while listening to the music. He was able to do this because the music brought back his emotional memories. He has not spoken this much or this clearly to anyone in months.
An iPod with a playlist created specifically for William from songs he and his family chose based on his younger life experiences and connections.
William begins to happily cry because of the emotions he felt while listening to his favorite music. Areas in his brain begin to associate the lyrics and melodies with certain experiences and memories from William’s life.
Product - iPod
William Remembers
William begins to Sing and Dance
Product Need To improve quality of life - Music is one of the last things people can remember who have Alzheimer’s. Hearing lyrics and melodies from songs can bring back memories due to the connection music has with both emotional and other areas of the brain.
William starts humming and begins mumbling the words until he can remember the lyrics. He starts bouncing, and moving his ‘jazz’ hands all around. William has not shown this much emotion and positive behavior for years, since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
William’s Journey
William begins to Listen
William has been very melancholy during his stay at the care facility. William’s caretaker gives him an iPod filled with music from his generation. He is confused, but allows his caretaker to explain to him what it is and puts on the headphones.
William’s face immediately lights up as he listens to his favorite jazz band from the 1930’s. The caretaker has not seen him look or feel this happy ever since he has been here.
My Proposed Solution
Key Business Goals
Primary Markets
Assumptions
Constraints
Stakeholders
- To design an electronic game and handheld device that incorporates music and movement into a gaming system similar to the Wii
- To improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s - to help them remember - To sell the product to Alzheimer’s care facilities - Potentially sell product to business markets
- Care facilities for Alzheimer’s - Those who have Alzheimer’s
- Caregivers would be more satisfied at work seeing their patients show happiness - Those with Alzheimer’s would show emotions, feelings, share memories, and remember their past lives - while having fun
- Money to prouce product - Convincing healthcare professionals and care facilities of the value of having music as a part of the healthcare system - Government funding
- Healthcare professionals & researchers - Dementia & Alzheimer’s physicians - Caregivers - Family
Images: http://video.fandango.com/FandangoMovies/381142-1_1600x1200_2463597382_gen.jpg
Secondary Markets
- Family - Other companies and businesses that could sell the product to public
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